The Adamed Foundation in collaboration with the Autonomous University in Barcelona (UAB) has organized the first ADAMED SmartUP workshops in Spain. The goal of the meetings called “The meaning of science in the age of Anthropocene. Chemistry and physics as an answer” was to popularize science among secondary school students in Barcelona.

Almost 80 secondary school students took part in the ADAMED SmartUP workshops in Barcelona. Theoretical and practical classes took place in the aula of the Center for Mathematical Research (CRM) and in the laboratory of the Faculty of Sciences. Their high quality was ensured by professors of the Faculty of Sciences of UAB. The participants learned how physics and chemistry can address the impact that human activity has had on terrestrial ecosystems.

As part of the physics workshops, the participants carried out various experiments to understand the basic related terms, such as radioactive decay, types of radioactivity and radioactivity-related hazards. The students found out that radiation is present everywhere. Although it usually has dangerous connotations, it is also an answer to a number of present-day challenges, especially considering its numerous uses in medicine and industry.

In the meantime, the students who took part in the chemistry classes had an opportunity to discover the novel uses of biomass, wood chemistry and biorefinery. They also learnt about the new uses of green chemistry and discovered an environment-friendly way to produce hydrogen using hydrochloric acid and zinc shavings.